by Cate Conte
Outside, it was still silent. Then I heard a thud, like someone was being slammed up against a wall.
“You better tell me. You better tell me everything you saw,” the other man said, his voice a dangerous thrum of warning.
Cole made a strangled sound. “I’m telling you. Nothing. Nothing.”
The sound of a fist striking bone, loud enough that I could identify it through the door, and an accompanying cry of pain caused me to gasp out loud. Thank God I had my cell phone in my pocket. I pulled it out and dialed 911, babbling the restaurant’s address to the dispatcher. “There’s an assault in progress. It might be related to a murder case. They’re out in a small alley behind the Saltwater restaurant in Turtle Cove,” I whispered as loudly as I could, then disconnected and pressed back against the door.
Should I go out there? I didn’t love my brother-in-law, but could I really stand by and watch—or rather listen—to him getting beaten up? Possibly worse, if this was Holly’s killer?
Or had they been in it together, that little voice whispered in my ear. And this was just two bad guys, each trying to save himself?
I shoved the door open and stepped outside. I was in a small lot with room for a couple cars and a Dumpster. The alley that led to the street was barely wide enough for a truck to pass through. Cole was on the ground, looking dazed and bleeding from his nose. The other man was gone, but I heard footsteps pounding up the alley. I raced after them, skidding to a stop when I heard an engine fire to life. I pressed myself against the side of the building as a van shot past the alley entrance. A dark blue van. With the words QUINN BUILDERS on the door. I stared after it, stunned. Gabe? Adele’s nephew? Is that why the voice sounded familiar? I’d only met Gabe once, but he did have a distinct voice.
But what on earth did he have to do with this? Unless he was the type who doled out vigilante justice and was going after anyone who had been at that house that night to try to protect his aunt.
I remembered Cole and ran back to where he was still sprawled on the ground. Cursing, I dropped down next to him. “Cole. Are you okay? Who was that who hit you?”
Cole’s head rolled to the side and he tried to focus on me. He was going to have quite a shiner tomorrow. “Maddie?” he said, wincing with pain, his voice thick from the damage his nose had sustained. “God. Is this a bad dream?”
I sat back on my heels. Charming as usual. “No. Who were you talking to out here? Was it Gabe Quinn?”
He tried to roll away from me, but not before I saw the panic flash through his eyes. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t worry about it? You’ve got to be kidding me. I already called the police.”
“The police?” That got him up. He sat, wincing, trying to stanch the blood flowing from his nose. “Why would you do that?”
“To save your sorry behind.” I stood up. “What were you talking about? Holly? What did you do, Cole? And why won’t you just be straight with Val about whatever’s going on? She doesn’t deserve this.”
“Go away, Maddie.” He looked miserable, pulling himself unsteadily to his feet. “And mind your own business for once.”
I bristled. My family was my business, thank you very much. I stepped forward, all set to tell him that, but two cops rounded the corner of the alley, hands on their weapons. They took one look at Cole’s bleeding face and me, poised to pounce on him, and I could see the wrong idea blossoming in their minds—that I had done this.
“Both of you, hands where we can see them,” one of them, the older cop, said.
I immediately raised my hands, palms up. “You’ve got this wrong,” I said. “The other guy took off. I’m the one who called it in. I’m former Police Chief Leo Maloney’s granddaughter.”
“Great.” The younger cop stepped forward. “Turn around and face the wall.”
“You’ve got this all wrong,” I said, but did as I was told.
He motioned to Cole to do the same. Cole did. Once they’d checked us for weapons, I was hustled off to the side by the younger cop, while the older one grabbed Cole. People had started poking their heads out the back door of the restaurant, drawn by the flashing lights of the cruiser parked beside the restaurant. I thought of Lucas, of our unfinished conversation, and wanted to die. I’d sworn I wasn’t letting anything wreck this date, and then I’d gone off and wrecked the date. He probably thought I took off on him. He’d probably left already. I’d probably never hear from him again. Hot tears stung my eyes, a combination of anger and loss. Why was I so stupid? Why did I always do the wrong things with the nice guy?
“What happened out here? You punch him?” The cop’s eyes bored into me.
I stared at him, torn between being offended and flattered that he thought I could punch Cole’s lights out like that. “No! I’m the one who heard the fight and called it in.”
“What’s the other guy look like, then?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t see him.” It wasn’t a total lie. I hadn’t seen Gabe. Just his truck driving away. And maybe that was a coincidence. Maybe the guy who punched Cole had taken off on foot, and Gabe had just been driving by at the wrong time. Or maybe someone had stolen Gabe’s truck.
Problem was, I didn’t believe in coincidence.
He raised a skeptical eyebrow. “How did you hear the fight then? Weren’t you inside?”
I hesitated. “I was. I … went to the bathroom and I heard shouting. It sounded like it was getting violent, so I called you guys.”
“And you said it might be related to a murder case? What murder case?”
I glanced at Cole. He hadn’t heard the question. He was busy answering his own cop.
“The Holly Hawthorne case. This … gentleman was there the night she died.”
The cop stared at me. “And?”
“It sounded like they were talking about that night. Maybe you could ask him?” I motioned to Cole.
The cop didn’t look impressed.
“Or not. Listen,” I said. “Call my grandfather. He’ll vouch for me. He’s my brother-in-law,” I said, jerking my head in Cole’s direction. “As much as I want to punch him out, I didn’t. The other guy got to him first.”
The cop watched me for another few seconds as if weighing how much of a liar I looked like, then he sighed. “Fine. You can go.”
“Thanks.” I started toward the door, then glanced back at Cole. “What about him?”
He glanced at the other cop, still grilling Cole, and shrugged. “Probably a broken nose. And he’ll have a nice black eye tomorrow. Hope he doesn’t have any fancy parties coming up.”
Chapter 40
I pushed past the crowd gathered in the back door, intent on finding Lucas, then stopped short when I realized he was at the back of the crowd, staring at me with an unreadable expression as I emerged in front of him.
“I’m so sorry,” I burst out. “I went to the bathroom and Cole was outside and he got in a fight with someone…” I trailed off, looking around to make sure the crowd was dispersing, or at least not paying attention. “And I think it might’ve had to do with Holly’s murder,” I finished in a stage whisper.
Lucas looked unimpressed. “Really,” he said. “Find out anything good?”
I shook my head.
“Let’s go,” he said. “I better get you home.”
“Home? But we didn’t eat yet,” I said, feeling my heart sink.
Lucas shrugged. “The food came. I wasn’t sure what happened to you, so I had it boxed up when I realized that you were involved in whatever the ruckus was outside. I’m glad you’re okay, because I was worried for a bit.”
But not anymore. Not when he realized I’d blown him off. I hadn’t meant to, of course, but how would he know that? What normal girl runs out on a date with a guy she allegedly really likes, to stalk her brother-in-law whom she supposedly really dislikes, and get involved in a murder investigation about someone else she disliked?
I mean, he kind of knew I wasn’t normal, but still
. “Lucas.” I tried again, not wanting to reduce myself to pleading with him, but I knew I was seriously close to messing this up permanently. “I’m really sorry. Let’s just go eat, okay?”
“I already had them put it in a box.” He strode back to our table.
I followed, swallowing back tears. What was wrong with me? Why did I keep doing this?
He grabbed two paper bags of food off the table without pausing to see if I was behind him, and continued to the front door. I snatched my wrap off the back of my chair and followed, not really wanting to be stranded in this restaurant. I caught up with Lucas at his car. He opened my door for me, polite as ever, and closed it after I tucked myself in.
I waited until he’d pulled out into traffic, heading in the direction of Daybreak Harbor, before I turned to him. “Lucas. I’m really, really sorry. I went to the bathroom and heard Cole outside arguing with someone. It sounded like it was about what happened at Holly’s. Given all the questions about his involvement, I was trying to hear what he was saying. You understand that, don’t you?”
He kept his gaze straight ahead. “And before that you were distracted by the people at the table behind us. Am I that boring, Maddie, that you can’t keep your attention on our conversation?” He shook his head. “Look. Forget it. It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine. And you’re not at all boring, Lucas. I was looking forward to this date all day.” I slumped back miserably in my seat. “I can’t help it that there’s always some stupid drama lately,” I mumbled.
Now Lucas looked over at me. “No. You can’t. But you can help how much attention you give it.” He turned his gaze back to the road. “It made more sense last time. When your grandfather was involved. But I’m not sure why you’re so concerned this time.”
I sat up, my hackles up suddenly. Even though the rational, calm Maddie was trying to be heard—Shut up, shut up, just shut up—the impulsive, gotta-be-right Maddie had to get the last word in. “I’m concerned because my sister is heartbroken that her husband was involved in all this. I’m also concerned because a woman who works with me is possibly taking the blame for it. I’m sorry if you don’t think that’s a good enough reason.” I turned my head to face out the window.
He didn’t reply anyway.
As we got closer to Daybreak Harbor, the traffic slowed. People were just getting started on their night out. Pedestrians and cars vied for right-of-way. Kids raced through the crowd with ice-cream cones, laughing and shouting. Normal people, having normal fun on vacation. I leaned my head against the window and shut my eyes against the pounding headache that was creeping through my skull. Lucas drove like a man on a mission. Clearly he wanted to drop me off sooner rather than later. Well, fine. Who needed him anyway? Relationships always turned out to be trouble, no matter how good they started out.
By the time he pulled up in Grandpa’s driveway, I’d almost convinced myself he was the bad guy here.
Almost.
I grabbed the door handle as soon as he pulled to a stop. “Maddie,” he started.
I paused but didn’t look back at him.
He sighed. “Forget it.”
I climbed out and slammed the door. It wasn’t until he’d driven away that I realized I’d left my food in his car. Not that I was hungry anymore anyway.
Chapter 41
I spent the night tossing and turning, thoughts and pictures racing through my mind. Cole, bleeding on the ground. Holly, jabbing a finger at Adele. What she must have looked like facedown in the sand, dead. Her sister’s face, twisted in hatred before she chucked a bunch of greens at me. Felicia in the kitchen, pushing cinnamon buns on me.
Thankfully, no one had been around when I’d gotten home, so I didn’t have to answer any questions about my disastrous date. Or why I was home when I hoped I wouldn’t be. Or even worse, see Val and have to figure out how to tell her what I’d seen and heard. Not that I knew what any of it meant.
In lieu of dinner, I’d dug through my kitchen cabinets until I found a protein bar and took it upstairs with a cup of tea.
JJ waited for me on my bed. Well, maybe he wasn’t waiting for me. Maybe he was secretly upset I’d cheated him out of a night with the bed all to himself. As a result, I was scrunched onto less than half the bed while he sprawled out on the rest. I’d like to say it was the reason for my miserable night’s sleep, but I know it wasn’t. I’d screwed up with Lucas—possibly irreversibly—and I knew it. Not to mention, I was dying to know what that conversation between Cole and the mystery man meant. And what food Heather Hawthorne and Gigi had in common. And, maybe worst of all, I couldn’t stop thinking about what those women had said about Felicia and her catering. Had I completely screwed up by hiring her for the gala? If her food was bad, or if she poisoned everyone, I’d have to leave town.
Needless to say, sleep didn’t come easily with those thoughts. When my alarm went off at six, I was wide-eyed and staring at the ceiling.
At least I had the cats and my new business to focus on today, hopefully taking my mind off all the crappy things. Lord knew there was plenty to do. But when I went downstairs, the place was thrumming with activity despite the early hour. Grandpa and Gigi were actually cleaning cages together, and they seemed to be having fun doing it. Grandpa was telling Gigi a story about one of the island’s old-timers, Sal Bonnadonna, owner of a local liquor store, and his crazy dog.
“And every time I went in that store, if he thought I was there on official police business, he’d set that darned dog patrolling me like a beat cop gone bad,” Grandpa was saying.
Gigi stared at him, fascinated. “Did it try to bite you? Would you have shot it?” For once, she didn’t look sad or nervous. She seemed to be really enjoying the conversation.
Grandpa turned and stared at her. I could tell he was exaggerating his facial expressions for maximum effect, but Gigi couldn’t. I bit back a smile as I watched him.
“Lord, no,” he said in a tone suggesting she’d be mad to even think such a thing. “But I would’ve shot Sal!”
Gigi dissolved into giggles.
I stepped into the room. She immediately sobered and went back to work, like she thought I was going to scold her or something. “Morning,” I said. “I’m so grateful for you two doing this.”
Grandpa Leo turned in mid-scoop of one of the litter boxes and beamed at me. I was afraid he was about to start waving the scoop around and flinging litter everywhere. He wore a pair of denim overalls and one of his crazy cat shirts. “Mornin,’ doll. Got in late?” He winked at me.
“I guess. You don’t have to do that, Grandpa.”
“Nonsense.” He turned back to his task. “You need some help. You can’t do everything yourself. Gigi and I are having a great time. Plus, this is my place too. I need to be more on task with my jobs. I get a little distracted sometimes. Must be old age.”
“Old? You? Never. Okay, well, as long as you’re enjoying yourself.” I headed to the kitchen in search of coffee and Ethan, peeking inside before entering. No sign of Val, thank goodness. I had no idea if I should say something to her or not about what happened last night, although she’d find out eventually and be mad at me for not telling her.
Ethan turned when I came in and raised an eyebrow. To his credit, he didn’t ask me why I was there, or how my date went. He simply filled a mug with coffee and handed it to me.
“Rough night?” His tone was matter-of-fact.
“You could say that.” I sank into a chair and sipped my coffee. “You could also say I brought it all on myself.”
“Oh boy.” Ethan sat too. “Do I want to know?”
“I’m sure you’d find the story delightful, but I don’t have the energy right now. Listen, can you help Grandpa and Gigi man the café today? I want to work on some of the behind-the-scenes stuff. I need to figure out this registration system.”
Ethan nodded. “’Course. The food is on its way, so I’ve got plenty of time. So you’re in hideout mode?”
He knew
me so well.
“I guess,” I said, taking a big swig of coffee. “How could you tell?”
“It’s not that hard. So what happened last night?”
I was horrified to feel my eyes welling up with tears. “I messed it all up.”
“What?” He leaned forward. “How?”
It all came out in a rush—my good intentions for our date, the women behind us talking about Felicia, Heather, and Gigi, seeing Cole, trying to hear his conversation with the mystery man who punched his lights out. How Lucas had packed all our food up because he was tired of waiting for me, and how I didn’t blame him one bit.
“I wish I knew what they meant about Felicia. Is her cooking bad? Is she going to ruin the gala? But more importantly, Lucas. I like him s-so much,” I choked out. “But now I screwed it up for good.” I buried my face in my hands, waiting for sympathy.
It never came.
Instead, Ethan refilled my coffee cup and sat back down. He looked preoccupied, actually, staring off into space. I peeked at him through my fingers. “You got nothing for me?”
He refocused on me. “Just that you need to be honest about why you’re not moving this forward. This guy really likes you. I can tell. But you’re not giving him much to work with.”
Sheesh. First Becky, now Ethan. What happened to best friends who let you cry on their shoulder and made you feel better?
“That’s not true,” I defended myself. “But all this crazy stuff keeps happening. I mean, how was I supposed to know I’d pick the one restaurant where that loser showed up…” I trailed off as the door to the kitchen opened.
Shoot. Val.
She looked at us suspiciously. “Why did you stop talking?”
“No reason,” I said immediately. “Nothing about you.”
“Yeah. That’s what they all say lately.” She sailed past us, her nose in the air, and went to get a mug.
Ethan jumped up. “Let me get it for you.” He busied himself making her a cup of coffee. The fact that he added a quarter teaspoon of sugar and measured out the milk told me it wasn’t the first time he’d done so.
